Guide to Becoming an
Accredited Economic Development Organization
“Recognizing organizational excellence in economic development.”
International Economic Development Council
734 15th Street, NW, Suite 900
Washington, DC 20005
Tel: (202) 223-7800 - Fax: (202) 223-4745
Web site: www.iedconline.org
UPDATED February 2013
Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................................... 3
PROGRAM SUMMARY ................................................................................................................ 4
PROGRAM OUTLINE ................................................................................................................... 6
DOCUMENTATION REVIEW ................................................................................................... 10
DOCUMENTATION REVIEW FOR UTILITY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
ORGANIZATIONS........................................................................................................... 11
CRITICAL ISSUES FOR ACCREDITATION ............................................................................ 13
SITE VISIT CRITERIA ................................................................................................................ 14
AEDO FEE SCHEDULE .............................................................................................................. 16
BASIC CRITERIA FOR PROCESSING APPLICATION ........................................................... 17
GUIDELINES FOR SITE VISIT .................................................................................................. 18
SITE VISIT EXAMPLE FORMAT .............................................................................................. 19
COMMUNITY STAKEHOLDER INTERVIEWS ....................................................................... 20
SITE VISIT EVALUATION FORM ............................................................................................ 21
Accredited Economic Development Organization
Program Description and Guidelines
2
INTRODUCTION
Volunteer commitment and peer networking are two hallmarks of the role of the International
Economic Development Council (IEDC) in furthering the professional development of its
members. These two factors have been combined to create the Accredited Economic Development
Organization (AEDO) program, an exciting means of recognizing the professional excellence of
economic development entities throughout North America.
The role of a site visit is crucial to the success of this program. Only through objective review and
analysis of the applicant economic development organization’s operations can meaningful and
constructive recommendations for improvement be made. The accreditation visits help to
communicate time-tested standards and professional methods to candidate organizations. The
leadership and guidance provided through the AEDO program will help candidate organizations forge
new directions and sharpen their competitive edge.
The nature of the AEDO program requires that all communications regarding the identity of candidate
organizations remain confidential unless, or until, accreditation is achieved. All information divulged
as part of the accreditation process is likewise considered to be confidential and may not be disclosed
to sources external to the AEDO program.
This document may not be reproduced in whole or in part, in any form, without the express written
permission of the IEDC.
Accredited Economic Development Organization
Program Description and Guidelines
3
PROGRAM SUMMARY
The primary goals of the Accredited Economic Development Organization program are:

To assist economic development organizations with independent and authoritative feedback
on their operation, structure, and procedures as a means of improving programs and enhancing
business and community support;

To recognize excellence in local economic development organizations and to heighten the
visibility of the economic development process in the community; and,

To recognize the vital contribution made by the organization’s leader/manager to the
economic development process.
The Accredited Economic Development Organization evaluation process consists of two stages:
1.
Documentation Review; and,
2.
Site Visit.
Each is designed to elicit specific and verifiable information about the structure, organization,
funding, programs, and staff of the candidate economic development organization. The
documentation review serves as a screening stage for the program, whereby fledgling organizations
can be informed that they have not yet reached the threshold for potentially successful completion of
the accreditation review.
On completion of the Documentation Review and Site Visit, the results of both stages are considered
to determine whether AEDO accreditation has been earned. Candidate organizations do not “pass” or
“fail” this process. Every candidate organization that fails to receive accreditation will be advised of
the necessary steps to be implemented to attain accreditation. Each organization will receive
information and guidance on the areas of the accreditation process that require further development.
Application, accreditation, and reaccreditation fees are based on the budget of the candidate
organization. All travel and lodging expenses of the Site Visit Team are reimbursed by the candidate
organization. The entire application fee must be remitted prior to the site visit.
Accredited Economic Development Organization
Program Description and Guidelines
4
Given the nature of the information disclosed, and the sometimes sensitive workings of applicant
economic development organizations, all documentation and proceedings relating to the AEDO
accreditation process will remain confidential. Information on candidate organizations, irrespective of
whether they obtain AEDO status, will not be disclosed to third parties.
Accredited Economic Development Organization
Program Description and Guidelines
5
PROGRAM OUTLINE
I.
Goals and Objectives
a) To assist economic development organizations with independent and authoritative feedback
on operations, structure, and procedures as a means of improving programs and enhancing
business and community support.
b) To recognize excellence in economic development organizations
c) To heighten the visibility of the economic development process in the community
d) To recognize the contribution of an organization’s leader/manager to the economic
development process
II.
Program Components
Application
a) Each applicant organization must have a full-time economic development professional in a
leadership or senior staff role.
b) Each applicant organization must submit information regarding its structure, organization,
funding, program, and staff to determine eligibility for participation (see Documentation
Review Section). All such information will be considered confidential and will be reviewed
only by appropriate members of the AEDO Committee and IEDC staff.
c) Each applicant organization must pay a nonrefundable application fee (see Fee Schedule).
d) IEDC staff will review applications for completeness and the AEDO Committee Chair/CoChairs will determine if the applicant is eligible for participation.
e) Applications will be accepted or rejected within sixty days of receipt and a site visit will be
scheduled on acceptance of the application documentation.
Accredited Economic Development Organization
Program Description and Guidelines
6
Determination of Eligibility
Applicant organizations must be devoted, as stated in their bylaws or articles of incorporation,
to economic development.
Accreditation Review
a) The Chair of the AEDO Committee will establish the Site Visit Team. One of the two selected
team members will be appointed as the Site Visit Team leader. The Site Visit Team leader will
review potential conflicts of interest and ensure transparency and probity with the selection of
the team and the site visit. Applicant organizations should communicate any perceived conflict
of interest.
b) Documentation submitted in support of an organization’s application will be examined and a
critical evaluation will be undertaken.
c) A Site Visit Team will perform a review of the applicant organization and issue a critical
evaluation, using the list of criteria (see Site Visit Criteria section). Visits will be scheduled
within sixty days of completion of the Documentation Review. A written draft report of the
team’s findings should be completed while onsite on the second day of the visit.
d) The Site Visit Team will submit its findings and make a recommendation to the AEDO
Committee.
e) The AEDO Committee will consider the findings and vote on whether to approve accreditation.
f) The AEDO Committee will inform the applicant organization of its decision and will provide a
detailed organizational critique.
g) Site Visit Team members will not be permitted to seek, or take up employment, either on a
consultant, part-time, or full-time basis, with an applicant organization for a period of oneyear following the accreditation visit.
Accreditation and Reaccreditation
a) The initial accreditation period will be for three years, after which the accredited
organization may seek reaccreditation. Reaccreditation will be for a period of three years, as
Accredited Economic Development Organization
Program Description and Guidelines
7
will successive periods of reaccreditation.
b) Please note that effective September 1, 2011 every AEDO organization’s second
reaccreditation application (e.g. the organization’s sixth year as an AEDO organization)
will automatically require a site visit regardless of whether or not there have been
changes to mission, leadership, budget, or organizational structure. This will allow for
more accurate assessment of the organization’s operations on a regular basis, provide more
detailed feedback and guidance to AEDOs, and increase the credibility of the accreditation
program in general. Site visits may be required more frequently than every six years if there
are major changes to mission, organizational structure, leadership, or budget. Please plan
accordingly when formulating future reaccreditation budgets.
c) IEDC will recognize accredited and reaccredited organizations by issuing a plaque and press
release, conducting a presentation ceremony when able, and by any other means as agreed to by
IEDC and the accredited organization.
III.
Structure
a) The AEDO Committee reports to the Performance Oversight and Monitoring (POM)
Committee.
b) The AEDO Committee will appoint new Chairs or Co-Chairs of the committee. The current
Chair or Co-Chairs of the AEDO Committee will nominate individuals to the committee.
c) The Chair or Co-Chairs of the AEDO Committee will nominate and appoint individuals to
the AEDO Committee. The AEDO Committee will consist of the Chair or Co-Chairs, the
Vice Chair, and the members as appointed.
d) The Chair or Co-Chairs, Vice Chair, and members of the AEDO Committee will be members
of IEDC and must be Certified Economic Developers (CEcDs) or have at least 10 years of
professional experience as an economic development practitioner.
e) The Chair or Co-chair, Vice Chair, and members of the AEDO Committee will serve for
terms of two years.
IV.
Program Costs
Accredited Economic Development Organization
Program Description and Guidelines
8
Fees
a) Fees will reflect a sliding scale based on the size of applicant organization’s budget (see Fee
Schedule section).
b) Invoicing and other fiscal procedures will conform to IEDC accounting practices.
c) The Site Visit Team’s hotel, meals, and transportation expenses will be paid by the applicant
organization.
Accredited Economic Development Organization
Program Description and Guidelines
9
DOCUMENTATION REVIEW
As part of the accreditation process, documentation relevant to the mission, goals, and activities of the
applicant organization will be reviewed. Three (3) binders should be assembled and forwarded to
IEDC in the order outlined below. Please do not leave any sections blank. If certain information is not
applicable, please be sure to provide an explanation. Each application should include a Letter of Intent
that describes the organization’s location and the community serves.
1)
Mission and goals statement;
2)
Articles of incorporation and bylaws;
3)
Last audited financial statement, compilation, review or equivalent financial
disclosure;
4)
Last annual report;
5)
Minutes of last four Board of Directors meetings;
6)
Roster and position descriptions of officers;
7)
Organizational chart and job descriptions of employees;
8)
Marketing plan (see specific Marketing Plan Criteria on p.12);
9)
Strategic plan (see specific Strategic Plan Criteria on p.12);
10)
Copies of all marketing materials currently in use;
11)
Annual budget;
12)
IRS Letter of Exemption;
13)
Most recent IRS Form 990;
14)
Staff Policy and Procedures Manual;
15)
Commitment of Support (see specific Commitment of Support Criteria on p. 12)
16)
Copies of organizational newsletters for the preceding year;
17)
Copies of press releases issued within the past year;
18)
One page review of between three and five of your most successful development
projects over the past two years; and
19)
Resumes for executive staff.
IEDC staff will review all information when submitted, will request clarification or expansion if
needed, and will forward information to the AEDO Committee in both summary and original form.
Accredited Economic Development Organization
Program Description and Guidelines
10
DOCUMENTATION REVIEW FOR UTILITY ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATIONS
As part of the accreditation process, documentation relevant to the mission, goals, and activities of the
applicant organization will be reviewed. Three (3) binders should be assembled and forwarded to IEDC in
the order outlined below. Please do not leave any sections blank. If certain information is not
applicable, please be sure to provide an explanation.
1. Mission and goals statement
2. Internally or externally audited financial statement
3. Last economic development annual report (internal or external)
4. Organizational chart and job descriptions for economic development department. Where does
economic development fit into the utility chain of command?
5. Marketing plan (see specific Marketing Plan Criteria on p.12)
6. Strategic plan (see specific Strategic Plan Criteria on p.12)
7. Copies of all marketing materials currently in use
8. Contact list of key economic development partners
9. Annual economic development budget
10. Copies of press releases issued within the past year
11. One page review of between three and five of your most successful development projects over the
past two years.
12. Clearly defined asset management goals. Identified regions that can be most easily served
13. Clearly articulated description of what is needed from ED partners to effectively respond to service
inquiries.
14. Line extension requirements and incentives
15. ED Partnership Program manual (description of programs with information on how to apply and
the requirements for approval.
Select one from the following

Communication Plan
Accredited Economic Development Organization
Program Description and Guidelines
11

Economic Development Policy and Procedures Manual

Letters of support for the economic development program from within the utility and from
partners.
IEDC staff will review all information when submitted, will request clarification or expansion if needed,
and will forward information to the AEDO Committee in both summary and original form.
Commitment of Support Criteria
Commitment of Support documentation shall provide evidence of multiyear commitment to the
organization from funders, cosponsors, and partner agencies. Also required is a listing of the
organization’s committed funding sources.

Nonprofit or public-private organizations are required to provide at least one letter of
commitment from each type of funding sector.

Governmental organizations funded solely through governmental appropriations are required
to provide a letter of commitment from the chief elected official.
AEDO Economic Development Organization Strategic Plan Criteria1
An economic development organization strategic plan includes the following:

Mission Statement;

Achievable goals and objectives;

A realistic appraisal of available resources, constraints, and opportunities; and,

Project action plans to reach goals, including the identification of responsibility, timelines,
and project or program prioritization.
AEDO Marketing Plan Criteria2
1
2

Goals should be specific enough to lead to logical objectives.

Objectives are the specific targets to be achieved in realizing the goal.

Marketing strategies should describe how to achieve the goals and objectives identified.
The strategy asks the questions what programs, procedures, and activities will enable us to
reach our marketing goals. Both short-term and long-term strategies should be developed.

Monitoring of established goals, objectives, and strategies should be an ongoing process.
Based on the IEDC Professional Development Manual, Economic Development Strategic Planning. January, 2006
Based on the IEDC Professional Development Manual, Introduction to Economic Development. January, 2006
Accredited Economic Development Organization
Program Description and Guidelines
12
CRITICAL ISSUES FOR ACCREDITATION
The following four “critical issues” must be addressed in both the documentation and Site Visit
Team reviews.
1. Does the organization have professional leadership and staffing adequate to its mission?
This means that people qualified to do the work are in place and have defined roles that they
understand, and that these people work together as a team. Individual certifications may be
in place but they are not the primary issue with regard to this question.
2. Does the organization have the budget and resources adequate to its job? Most professionals
will detect when an organization is “over its head” with too much to do and without
adequate budget or staff. Offices and equipment need not be fancy or highly technical, but
they must be adequate to the job.
3. Does the organization have the respect and support of a community base with active
commitment and participation appropriate to its mission? This means that there is
stakeholder support from business community, political leadership, neighborhood, or other
groups that are essential to the mission.
4. Does the organization have a strategic plan that it follows, allocating resources based on its
mission and the opportunities that it has identified? The plan must be adequate and fit the
organization and its mission.
Accredited Economic Development Organization
Program Description and Guidelines
13
SITE VISIT CRITERIA
The Site Visit Team will review and evaluate conditions at the offices of the applicant organization
with respect to the following matters:
I.
Internal Environment
A.
B.
C.
II.
Office
1.
Professional appearance
2.
Privacy for conferences
3.
Computer, network, and phone resources
4.
Security
a.
Personnel
b.
Records
Chief Executive Officer / Manager
1.
Professional experience
2.
Professional credentials
3.
Commitment and compensation
4.
Continuing professional development
Staff
1.
Professional experience
2.
Professional credentials
3.
Compensation
4.
Division of duties and responsibilities
5.
Current job descriptions
6.
Continuing professional development
7.
Turnover
Leadership
A.
Volunteers
Accredited Economic Development Organization
Program Description and Guidelines
14
B.
III.
IV.
1.
Orientation
2.
Regular meetings
3.
Structure of volunteer leadership
Direction and Vision
1.
Goal-setting process (e.g., strategic plan)
2.
Budgeting process
3.
Commitment over time to strategic plan
4.
Linkage between strategic plan and ongoing operations
External Environment
A.
Liaison with public officials
B.
Marketing to outside agencies
C.
Relations with news media, community, other organizations
Financial Resources
A.
Budget
B.
Sources of income
Accredited Economic Development Organization
Program Description and Guidelines
15
AEDO FEE SCHEDULE
Organizational
Budget
Application
Fee
Accreditation Fee*
Member (Non-member)
Re-accreditation Fee*
Member (Non-member)
Under $150,000
$275
$1100 ($1440)
$700 ($1080)
$150,000 – $299,999
$275
$1210 ($1560)
$800 ($1200)
$300,000 – $499,999
$275
$1430 ($1920)
$900 ($1440)
$500,000 – $749,000
$275
$1725 ($2600)
$1100 ($1680)
$750,000 – $999,999
$275
$2070 ($3100)
$1200 ($1800)
$1 mil – $1, 999,999 mil
$275
$2415 ($3630)
$1400 ($2160)
$2 mil – $2, 999,999 mil
$275
$4600 ($6900)
$3000 ($4200)
$3 mil – $3, 999,999 mil
$275
$5750 ($8630)
$3500 ($4800)
$4 mil – $4,999,999 mil
$275
$6325 ($9500)
$4000 ($5400)
Above $5 million
$275
$6900 ($10,350)
$4500 ($6000)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------State Agency
Small
$300
$7,000 (10,500)
$4550 ($6050)
$300
$9,000 (13,500)
$5850 ($7800)
$11,000 (16,500)
$7,300 ($9500)
(Population: up to 3,000,000)
Medium
(Population: 3, 000,001 to 10,000,000)
Large
$300
(Population: 10, 000,001 and over)
*Fee based on 3-Year Period
Accredited Economic Development Organization
Program Description and Guidelines
16
BASIC CRITERIA FOR PROCESSING APPLICATION
IEDC staff will use the following criteria to process the initial application for accreditation status.
a)
Does the applicant organization employ a full-time economic development professional?
b)
Does the applicant organization devote at least 50% of its time to economic development
activities?
c)
Is the applicant organization a local or regional economic development organization (vs. state,
federal, railroad, utility, consultant practice, etc.)?
d)
Does the applicant organization have an IEDC member on staff (for purposes of computing
the appropriate fee)?
e)
What is the organization's annual operating budget and/or departmental budget for
economic development?
If these basic criteria are met, the economic development organization will be invited to apply for
accreditation. If doubt exists as to the eligibility of the organization for participation in the AEDO
Program, the Chair of the AEDO Committee will be asked to review the information supplied and
to make a determination.
Accredited Economic Development Organization
Program Description and Guidelines
17
GUIDELINES FOR SITE VISIT
Site visits are a key element in the success of the AEDO program and provide important feedback as
to whether the organization merits AEDO status.
The goals of the site visit are to:
a)
Examine the candidate economic development organization’s operations;
b)
Evaluate the operations by means of the site visit criteria; and
c)
File a written report on the findings of the site team visit.
The Site Visit Team comprises two or three volunteers. Team members must be Certified Economic
Developers (CEcDs) and/or have at least ten years experience in the economic development
profession. Site Visit Team members will be drawn from a pool of volunteers that represent regional
diversity as well as a mix of experience in small, medium, and large economic development
organizations. The President and CEO of IEDC, along with staff involved with the AEDO Program,
are encouraged to undertake a site visit in order to understand and familiarize themselves with the
process.
Site Visit Team members will be asked to commit to no more than two visits per twelve month
period, totaling six days (including travel time). All travel, meals, and accommodation costs will be
reimbursed by the applicant organization.
Prior to being assigned to an AEDO application, all Site Visit Team members will receive an
orientation on the rules and requirements of the AEDO program.
Accredited Economic Development Organization
Program Description and Guidelines
18
SITE VISIT EXAMPLE FORMAT
Site Visit Team members should arrive in the applicant community on the night prior to start of the site
visit. Team members coming from nearby areas can arrive the day of the site visit but should abide by the
following sample site visit agenda/schedule.
Day One
9:00 am
Team Welcome Breakfast Meeting with Host Organization
10:00 am
Review Itinerary (at host organization’s office)
10: 30 am
Evaluations of Host Organization
1. Office, equipment, facilities, etc.
2. Interview staff
3. Review internal operations;
4. Community tour
12:00 noon
Lunch with Community Stakeholder (to be determined by host organization)
1:30 pm
More Community Stakeholder Interviews (public/private)
5:00 pm
Break (team meeting if necessary)
6:00 p.m.
Dinner Meeting (informal with host organization’s leadership)
Day Two
8:00 a.m.
Breakfast Meeting with Community Leaders
10:00 a.m.
More Community Stakeholder Interviews
12:00 noon
Team Debriefing Luncheon with Host Organization Leadership
1:30 p.m.
Draft Preliminary Report
3:00 p.m.
Departure
Accredited Economic Development Organization
Program Description and Guidelines
19
COMMUNITY STAKEHOLDER INTERVIEWS
An important facet of the site visit is for the Site Visit Team to meet with prominent community
leaders who are stakeholders in the local economic development process. To achieve this, nine
categories of community leaders have been identified. Each candidate organization is asked to select
four categories for the visiting team to meet with, each for no more than one hour.
Categories include:
1.
Chief operating officer of a recently-located or recently assisted business;
2.
Typical development ally;
3.
Industrial/commercial real estate professional;
4.
Representative of local/regional financial institution;
5.
Key elected official;
6.
Head of local planning agency;
7.
Representative of state agency;
8.
Representative of local/regional utility; and,
9.
Open category (any individual not included in any of the above).
Accredited Economic Development Organization
Program Description and Guidelines
20
SITE VISIT EVALUATION FORM
I.
INTERNAL ENVIRONMENT:
A.
Office Resources
a) Appropriate offices for economic development organization;
b) Functional, well maintained, orderly and accessible;
c) Privacy for conferences.
Comments:
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
B.
Computer Resources (Describe: CPU, Hard-Disk, Monitor, Number and Type)
a) Adequate hardware (terminal, printers, scanner, handheld smart phones when appropriate)
b) Adequate software (database, membership, word processing, virus protection, communication,
spreadsheet, contact management, graphics, real estate availability)
c) 24/7 secure remote internet and phone access whenever, wherever needed
d) Local area network (LAN), Sufficient broadband capacity
e) Reliable Email and Internet access
f) Web site, Web support, Social networks
g) E-mail, color copiers, LED projector
Comments:
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
Accredited Economic Development Organization
Program Description and Guidelines
21
D.
Chief Executive Officer
a) Professional experience
i.
Prior economic development experience
Comments:
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
b) Professional credentials
i.
CEcD
ii.
Other
Comments
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
c) Commitment and range of compensation
i.
Contract/letter of agreement
ii.
Comparability of salary/perks
Comments:
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
Accredited Economic Development Organization
Program Description and Guidelines
22
d) Continuing professional development
i.
IEDC membership
ii.
Regional/state economic development organization membership
iii.
Resources to attend seminars, courses
iv.
EDC graduate
v.
EDI graduate
vi.
Other
Comments:
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
E.
Management and Support Staff
a) Professional experience
i.
Prior economic development experience
Comments:
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
b) Professional credentials
i.
CEcD
ii.
Other
Comments:
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
Accredited Economic Development Organization
Program Description and Guidelines
23
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
c) Compensation
i.
Comparability
ii.
Personnel policies
Comments:
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
d) Division of duties and responsibilities
i.
Current job descriptions
ii.
Clear reporting relationships
Comments:
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
e) Continuing professional development
i.
IEDC membership
ii.
Regional/state economic development organization membership
iii.
Resources to attend seminars, courses
iv.
EDC graduates
v.
EDI graduate
vi.
Other
Accredited Economic Development Organization
Program Description and Guidelines
24
Comments:
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
f) Turnover history
i.
For past three years
ii.
Has staff focus or emphasis changed as a result of staffing changes? Please describe.
Comments:
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
II.
LEADERSHIP:
A.
Volunteers
a) Orientation
i.
Formal session
ii.
Orientation materials
iii.
Word of mouth
Comments:
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
b) Regular meetings
i.
Agenda and minute
ii.
Ongoing schedule
Accredited Economic Development Organization
Program Description and Guidelines
25
Comments:
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
c) Structure of volunteer leadership
i.
Continuity
ii.
Clear delegation of duties
iii.
Appointed/elected board
iv.
Appointed/elected officers
v.
Term limits
vi.
Leadership development
vii.
Community representation (gender, age, race, orientation, etc.)
Comments:
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
B.
Direction and Vision:
a) Goal-setting process
i.
Existence of strategic plan
ii.
Date of last update
iii.
How implemented
iv.
Involvement of leadership/volunteers in process
v.
Evaluation of outcomes (measurement metrics, tracking system, review schedule)
Comments:
___________________________________________________________________________
Accredited Economic Development Organization
Program Description and Guidelines
26
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
b) Budget process
i.
One year or multi-year
ii.
Reflects strategic plan/goals and objectives
iii.
Reflects leadership input
iv.
Presentation of budget
Comments:
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
c) Commitment to strategic plan
i.
Year-to-year continuity
ii.
Periodic updates
iii.
Evaluation of results/method of measurement
Comments:
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
d) Linkage between strategic plan and program of work
i.
Periodic review
ii.
Review versus budget
iii.
Comparison with staff distribution and priorities
Comments:
___________________________________________________________________________
Accredited Economic Development Organization
Program Description and Guidelines
27
___________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
III.
EXTERNAL ENVIRONMENT:
A.
Liaison with Public Officials
i.
Methods of communication with public officials
ii.
Representation by public officials on board of directors
iii.
Utilization of public officials, key leaders, and resource providers in prospect tours, etc.
Comments:
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
B.
Marketing
i.
Timely marketing plan
ii.
Identify target audiences
iii.
Adequate resources committed
iv.
Marketing mix
v.
Marketing goals tied into overall strategic plan
vi.
Measures of success
vii.
Examples
Comments:
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
Accredited Economic Development Organization
Program Description and Guidelines
28
C.
Relations with Community Opinion Leaders
i.
Means of communication
ii.
Liaison/access when appropriate
iii.
Participation in decision-making
Comments:
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
D.
Prospect Handling
i.
Identification of prospects
ii.
Qualification of prospects
iii.
Identification of customer communities
iv.
Confidentiality issues
v.
Follow-up procedures and custom tracking process
vi.
“Closing” process
Comments:
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
IV.
FINANCIAL RESOURCES
A.
Budget
i.
Linkage with strategic plan
ii.
Involves volunteer leaders
Accredited Economic Development Organization
Program Description and Guidelines
29
iii.
Re-evaluated as fiscal year progresses
iv.
Includes appropriate fiscal controls
Comments:
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
B.
Organizational Budget
i.
Keep pace with growth of organization
ii.
Numbers and type of sources
iii.
Annual or other commitments
iv.
Fund-raising programs
Comments:
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
V.
SPECIAL ISSUES
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
Accredited Economic Development Organization
Program Description and Guidelines
30